Mentor of young people

The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization shapes children’s lives and sometimes even the lives of those who mentor them.

Such has been the case for Cindy Denby, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois.

She worked in the automobile industry in central Illinois for 28 years before beginning a second career in the world of not-for-profit agencies, including serving on the board of directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois.

“What I love most about the not-for-profit world is the opportunity to impact people’s lives in a positive manner,” Denby said.

“Having a child experience McDonald’s [restaurant] for the first time is an unimaginable, lifetime experience. It’s their reaction to a place where you can eat and play. And for an adult, it’s re-evaluating what is important. Things we take for granted are huge in their lives.”

In 2009, she took over the reins of Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Illinois, which serves 400 children in Adams, Brown, Cass, Morgan and Schuyler counties.

For Denby, the new job was sort of a homecoming. She grew up in Rochester and in the late 1970s and early 1980s lived in Jacksonville, where she coached boys basketball at the YMCA and played “lots of softball and volleyball.”

“I was very excited to return to Jacksonville, where I have great memories,” she said.

When Denby came to Big Brothers Big Sisters, she faced many of the usual challenges of running a not-for-profit organization. “Coming up with new and fresh fundraisers was one of the biggest challenges,” she said.

Since taking over, Denby has started “Look Who’s Painting,” an event where Jacksonville and Quincy residents create artwork that Big Brothers Big Sisters then auctions off in November. She also started “Cook’s Holiday,” where residents of Brown County can purchase a dinner for $5 that has been prepared by Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers.

“Fortunately, those two events have done very well for us,” Denby said.

She added that the response to the Bowl for Kids’ Sake tribute to Leo Alfano and Morgan McKinnon, who were “bigs” for the organization for two years, has been overwhelming. Alfano and McKinnon died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident last summer.

“For us to have the opportunity to honor these two young people, who were so tremendous to our organization and always brought a smile to people’s faces, is amazing,” Denby said.

The Leo Alfano and Morgan McKinnon Memorial Bowl for Kids’ Sake will be held April 11 and 12 at the Bowl Inn in Jacksonville.

Denby said her work is very rewarding. “My life has changed because of my experiences at Big Brothers Big Sisters,” she said. “It has made me a better mother, sister, daughter and friend because of what I’ve learned about relationships, family and having someone in your life. That’s what Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about.”

Greg Olson can be contacted at 217-245-6121, ext. 238, or on Twitter @jjcGregOlson.